SSP Observes Native American Heritage Month, Affirms Native Voices

06 December 2024

From Thomas Jones

WASHINGTON NAVAL YARD – Nieva Brock, Associate General Counsel, Administrative Law and Litigation Division, Office of the General Counsel, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, gave a presentation at Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) highlighting the importance of affirming Native voices, the struggles that Native Americans have faced for many years, and the great strides that are being made by Native Americans today, in honor of Native American Heritage Month.

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A member of the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) and registered member of the Higuayagua Taino of the Caribbean, Brock says, “We honor our culture and our ancestors by speaking our language and keeping it alive. We take this month for American-Indian and Alaskan-Native people to emerge from obscurity to share our stories.”

Stories like that of Deb Haaland, current Secretary of the Interior and member of the Laguna Pueblo. Haaland holds the title of first Native American Cabinet Secretary.

“She’s the first, but clearly not the last…her historic and dedicated leadership is strengthening the relationship between the Tribal Nations and the federal government,” said President Biden during a visit to Gila Crossing, a Tribally-Controlled School in Arizona.

“She leads the department that was once in charge of overseeing the systematic removal of Native Americans from their land,” said Brock.

Brock also shared the story of Sgt. 1^st Class Mitchelene BigMan, a member of the Crow and Hidatsa tribes and recipient of the Combat Action Ribbon.

“This woman is a true survivor and warrior, she is a combat vet and a survivor of sexual trauma in the military,” Brock said. “Her color guard was the first all-women native color guard and performed in the inauguration of presidents Obama and Biden.”

Brock also spoke of Maj. Patrick W. Sorenson, who paved the way for Native Americans to wear traditional dress and hairstyles in uniform and Capt. Haida StarEagle, the first Native American Intelligence Officer in the United States Space Force.

“I want you to remember this name because I have a feeling you’re going to see her in the future, I have a feeling she’s going to go to the moon,” Brock said.

Native American service members continue to perform valiantly in the U.S. Armed Forces. Since 9/11, approximately 19% of all Native Americans have served, far more than any other demographic.

“We affirm our native voices through our service, not only for our own people, but for the United States,” said Brock. “What we lack in numbers we make up for in heart and service…We serve to protect our land and our people.”

Native Americans have served as generals and admirals. They’ve fought for the U.S. in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War. They have the highest ratio of Medal of Honor recipients and continue to have a disproportionately high rate of service across the Special Forces.

“It’s never too late to teach, to educate…There are nearly 1,000 tribes just in the U.S. alone. Each one has a particular culture. 574 of them have their own government,” Brock said. “Please spread the word, we’re here, we never left, and we remain, and will continue to serve and lead in the United States.”

Strategic Systems Programs is the Navy command that provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support for the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad and the Navy’s strategic deterrence capabilities. This includes training, systems, equipment, facilities and personnel responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Trident II (D5LE) Strategic Weapon System, Nuclear Sea Launched Cruise Missile, and Conventional Prompt Strike Hypersonics.

People are SSP’s greatest strategic asset. The ability for all qualified people, regardless of heritage or identity, to contribute to the sea based strategic deterrent mission openly and free from discrimination is a foundational part of the command’s values.

A credible, effective strategic deterrent is essential to our national security and the security of U.S. allies. Deterrence remains a cornerstone of national security policy in the 21st century.

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SSP Observes Native American Heritage Month, Affirms Native Voices

From Thomas Jones